Dhoni right in asking for turners: Wadekar, Gaekwad

“There wasn’t enough turn and bounce for the spinners. Hopefully, in the coming matches we’ll see the wicket turn right from start or as soon as possible so that the toss doesn’t become vital. I don’t think the match referee can question a pitch just because it’s turning. When the wicket seams right from the first delivery nobody asks questions,” Dhoni said after India’s nine-wicket win yesterday.

Super show: The Indian team return to the pavilion after dismissing England in their second innings yesterday. Pic/Nirav Trivedi

Quite surprisingly, the India captain has found support from former India skipper Ajit Wadekar and former coach Anshuman Gaekwad. “He is conventionally right. When we travel to countries like West Indies, Australia, England or New Zealand we are not welcomed with turning or placid tracks. If we prepare tracks to help our spinners, where is the harm in it?” Gaekwad asked.

Wadekar too had a similar take, but with a rider. “Yes, it’s true that when we travel outside the sub-continent we don’t get wickets which suit our strengths. So when it comes to India, we should also prepare pitches to suit our strengths and questions should not be raised about that,” Wadekar told MiD DAY. “But having said that, we need to prepare bouncy tracks for domestic cricket because when we travel outside the sub-continent, we shouldn’t find ourselves unprepared,” he added. Gaekwad though said the contest should be even. “The pitch should help all,” he said.